The northwest Arctic community of Kotzebue is beginning recovery efforts after a coastal storm caused widespread flooding in the town of over 3,000 residents. In response, Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued a disaster declaration on Tuesday, and emergency efforts are continuing as multiple organizations assess the damage.

Residents began evacuating their homes on Tuesday afternoon as rising water levels threatened numerous buildings. Over 80 residents evacuated their homes on Tuesday evening. Residents were evacuated in city ambulances, with some people sitting in the buckets of bulldozers.

Most of the displaced residents stayed in the Kotzebue School gymnasium, while others stayed in the hospital, hotel, businesses or with relatives. The neighborhood and a local restaurant, Little Louie's, provided pizza and breakfast in the morning.

Representatives from a multi-agency emergency response team say at least one home has collapsed in Kotzebue Sound due to the flooding. Officials believe several homes may be too damaged to live in as winter quickly approaches.

Dozens of tents at a seasonal fish camp north of the town of Kotzebue were completely washed away and at least one sled dog team was also displaced. The city says seasonal structures around the Swan Lake Dock were also washed away.

The schools in Kotzebue and numerous shops remained closed on Wednesday. The city's airport runways were closed Tuesday due to excessive ice and wind. Flights was planned from midday on Wednesday – although it was unclear whether these planes would be able to land. Photos circulating on social media show the Alaska Airlines terminal flooded.

Rescue workers are encouraging residents to take photos and keep receipts to document the damage.

Several other communities also experienced flooding due to the storm, including the coastal communities of Deering and Shishmaref.